Tennessee Hospitals Are Disturbingly Close To Their Breaking Point

Ambulances fill the loading area at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. The hospital has tried to adjust to the surge of new infections by dedicating three floors for treatment of COVID-19 patients, and creating two COVID-only intensive care units for the most seriously ill. Still, the hospital has had to deny patient-transfer requests from smaller hospitals.

Many U.S. hospitals are struggling to find enough space and staff to treat COVID-19 patients. The surge in new cases has forced them to rethink how they use space, manage staff, and handle treatment.

(Image credit: Blake Farmer/WPLN )

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Blake Farmer